Resources IRS Resources for Charities and Contributors Please share how your organization, partners, and grantees are responding to the natural disasters by emailing memberalert@ IndependentSector.org or contacting our communications team at 202-467-6100. Midwestern Disaster Relief Efforts in Congress

Hurricane Gustav in Louisiana and Texas and the unprecedented Midwest floods in June have disrupted the lives of millions of Americans and caused billions of dollars in damage. The nonprofit community continues to respond with volunteers, assistance, and resources to address the needs of people in the affected areas. The public can support those efforts through donations to charities working to make a difference.

Members of Independent Sector among those responding to the needs of people along the Gulf Coast and in the Midwest.

Hurricane Gustav Relief
Although Hurricane Gustav did not produce the same level devastation as Hurricane Katrina three years ago, people in its path need significant help in relief and rebuilding after a storm that caused the evacuation of over 2 million.

The American Red Cross has mobilized staff and volunteers from across the country, staffing hundreds of shelters and keeping people safe from the storm.

Catholic Charities USA is collecting financial donations to help communities recover. Donations will be used to fund local Catholic Charities agencies’ emergency and long-term humanitarian relief efforts.

Humanity First is sending a first response team to the affected area to aid in setting up medical relief camps, provide free medicines, drinking water, free meals for disaster victims, and other logistical support.

The Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations website provides storm guidance for nonprofits, checklists, and links to state resources.

The Salvation Army is transitioning from the staging of materials and supplies and supporting the evacuation to responding to the impacted areas. Incident command teams are assessing the damage and setting up centers of operation to provide shelter, food, water, ice, cleaning supplies, baby supplies, hygiene products, and emotional and spiritual care, among other services.

Midwest Floor Relief
Early this summer, Midwestern states saw the worst flooding in years -- some are calling it a “500-year flood”. Rains swamping large sections of the farm belt, forcing tens of thousands from their homes and devastating communities.

The Donors Forum has developed the Midwest Flood Relief Resource Center to provide news and resources on nonprofit and government assistance projects, and information to aid donors in making effective use of donations to the relief efforts throughout the affected region.

Gateway Center for Giving in St. Louis provides links for grantmakers and individuals to provide assistance to nonprofits and state agencies aiding in the relief efforts in Missouri.

Network for Good provides access to several charities that have established special funds and sent disaster teams to assist in flood relief efforts.

Other Resources
The Council on Foundations has developed Disaster Grantmaking: A Practical Guide for Foundations and Corporations, which provides eight principles of good disaster management to help grantmakers be more effective and strategic in addressing disasters.

Last Updated: September 3, 2008

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